In the world of track and field, equipment rules are designed to maintain fairness and integrity across all events. Just like the regulations that govern pole vault poles or javelin specifications, there are also strict rules for what track athletes can wear on their feet.
Over the past couple of years, more than a few track spikes have been banned from competition, and it has nothing to do with style. It comes down to performance advantages, technology limits, and at the end of the day, fairness in competition.
The Rise of Super Spikes
In 2017, Nike changed the running world forever with the release of the Vaporfly road racing shoe, featuring a carbon plate and a thick, responsive foam midsole that dramatically improved running economy. Not to be outdone, track spike manufacturers followed suit, creating what many refer to as the “super spike era.”
These spikes combine lightweight uppers, rigid carbon plates, and advanced foams. When combined, they provide greater energy return and reduced fatigue. This has led to faster and faster times, with record books being rewritten more often than ever.
World Athletics’ Equipment Rules
To ensure a competitive balance, World Athletics (the governing body of track and field) established clear rules for racing shoes and spikes.
The main areas that they regulate are:
Maximum sole thickness
Depending on the length of the event the shoes are for, there are different regulations regarding sole thickness. For short events under 800m, the maximum thickness is 20mm. That jumps up to 25 mm for track events longer than 800m, and then up to 40mm for road races.
Number and length of spikes
Depending on the event, there are limits to how many spikes can be in the spike plate and how far they can protrude from the sole.
Public availability
Before an athlete can race in a shoe model in a sanctioned competition, it must have been commercially available to the public for purchase for at least 4 months before the event.
Any shoes found to be exceeding the limits will be banned from all sanctioned competitions.
Banned Spikes
Despite manufacturers' attempts to stay within the rules, there are always some shoes that end up getting banned.
Nike Viperfly
Although the Viperfly was never actually released for purchase, the controversy surrounding these shoes led to rule changes and stricter regulations regarding shoe technology. These shoes featured a high stack height and carbon-fiber plates, and were one of the first shoes described as “technological doping.”
Nike Air Zoom Victory (Prototype versions)
The earliest versions of the Victory had midsole stacks that were above 25mm, so they were pulled from sanctioned use until compliant versions were released.
Prototype Models for Pro Athletes
Most companies test new technology during development by allowing their athletes to run in prototype models. However, since they are not yet available to the general public, they can’t be worn in sanctioned events.
Modified or Custom Shoes
Altering a spike plate, adding extra foam, or adding unauthorized plates can also lead to disqualification.
Once a shoe has been banned from competition, it is up to the manufacturer to redesign it in compliance with the rules. Once the changes are made, the newest version of the shoe must be available to the public for 4 months, regardless of how long the previous model had been on sale before being banned.
Why the Rules Exist
Track spikes are meant to provide traction and efficiency, not mechanical propulsion. When technology becomes more relevant to success than athletic ability, it undermines the spirit of fair play. The current rules are a balance between allowing innovation and preventing “technological doping.”
These regulations also help ensure that all athletes, from world champions to high school runners, compete on a level playing field. This allows runners to remain competitive without having to have the newest (and most expensive) shoes on the market.
Some track spikes are banned not because the manufacturer necessarily did anything wrong, but simply because technology evolves faster than the rules. World Athletics updates its guidelines regularly to keep up, ensuring that every record is earned by athletic ability, not just advanced footwear.
About the Author
Scott D
Run streaker, ultramarathoner, and UESCA Certified Running & Ultrarunning Coach. 2022 UTSC 100 Mile Winner. I share practical tips, gear insights, and coaching wisdom to help runners go further, faster, and stronger — one stride at a time.
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